By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor
Students of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) currently participating in the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) have shared experiences of a programme that has exposed them to practical learning, workplace demands, unexpected challenges and personal growth.
In interviews with correspondent, students from the Departments of Mass Communication, Computer Science, Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, and Arts and Industrial Design reflected on their experiences so far, highlighting both the benefits and difficulties of adapting to professional environments.
For some students, SIWES has provided an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. For others, it has come with unexpected placements, demanding schedules and challenges that have tested their patience and resilience.
Ademuyiwa Balikis, a 300-level Mass Communication student undergoing her training at The Guardian newspaper, described her experience as “practical, challenging, a little bit stressful, but very educational.”
According to her, the programme has given her first-hand experience in news gathering, interviewing, event coverage, writing and editing. She summed up the major lessons from her experience in three words: growth, exposure and experience.
Another Mass Communication student, Opeloyeru Hafsoh, is undergoing her training at Sure FM, where she works as a sports analyst with the Sports Hive team. She has also gained experience in live streaming and audio editing using Adobe Audition.
Hafsoh described her SIWES experience as “nothing short of exposure,” noting that it has allowed her to learn new skills while also unlearning some previous assumptions about her abilities.
“I've been learning and unlearning,” she said, adding that the experience has helped her realise that she is a fast learner.
However, not every student has found their placement directly connected to their field of study.
Afolabi Oluwafemi Samuel, a 200-level Computer Science student, said his placement differed significantly from what he had expected. Rather than being assigned to an ICT-related unit, he was posted to the student accounts department in the library, where he performs clearance and other administrative duties.
“I was hoping to learn software development and networking,” he said.
Despite the difference between his expectations and actual placement, Samuel acknowledged that the experience has taught him how to function within a professional environment.
“We've accepted our fate,” he said humorously.
For students of Food Science and Technology, the training has involved a combination of field visits and practical exposure.
Olusesi Tobiloba said her group had visited a water factory, bakery, poultry farm and laboratories during the first seven weeks of their programme. She said the experience exposed her to water purification and packaging, bread production and the identification of machines used in food science laboratories.
Although the programme has been demanding, she believes the experience has been worthwhile.
“The stress is worth it,” she said.
Similarly, Olowotoyin Michael, a Chemistry student, described his SIWES experience as insightful, saying the programme has allowed him to connect classroom theory with practical applications.
He noted that the training has helped him gain practical experience, acquire new skills and develop greater confidence while navigating some of the challenges associated with the workplace.
For Quadri Uthman Atebishe, a 300-level student of Arts and Industrial Design, the experience has been particularly demanding.
Reflecting on his six-month programme, Atebishe described it as a combination of learning, struggle, frustration and growth.
“At some point, I got really tired and frustrated,” he said. “There were days I didn't even feel like going to the studio anymore.”
He cited long hours of painting, the cost of materials and repeated corrections as some of the difficulties he encountered. Despite these challenges, he said the experience has significantly improved his artistic abilities.
“I've improved in painting, colour application, composition and techniques,” he said. “Looking back, I'm grateful because, despite how stressful it has been, I can see that I've grown both as a student and as an artist.”
The experiences of the students reveal the varied realities of SIWES at LASUSTECH. While some have secured placements closely aligned with their academic disciplines, others have found themselves in roles they did not initially anticipate.
Despite the differences, a common theme runs through their experiences: SIWES is providing exposure to the realities of the workplace and opportunities to develop practical skills beyond the classroom.
For many, the programme has not been without exhaustion, frustration or uncertainty. Yet, through the challenges, students say they are gaining valuable lessons in adaptability, professionalism, confidence and persistence — experiences that could prove useful as they prepare to transition from the university into the world of work.
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